Councilman Gary Brown drew distinctions between the processes DPS and the city will use to negotiate with unions.

"The public will have a chance to weigh in" on city contracts, Brown told the council. "This body will have the opportunity to reshape the request."

Brown added that consent agreement, which he voted for, gives the city a chance to "negotiate a softer landing" for city employees.

"I know the consenet agreement by some is viewed by some as a precursor to an emergency manager," Brown said. "We're not there yet."

"It's democracy DPS is not experiencing now," he added.

Councilman Kwame Kenyatta, who voted against the consent agreement, was less optimistic about the consent agreement. He pointed out the city's project manager, under the consent agreement, can impose city contracts if the City Council opposes them.

"We should mourn, not celebrate, tomorrow," Kenyatta said on Tuesday, referring to Fourth of July." The independence of this city has been compromised."